Over a third of people ''binge drink'' on a typical night out

More than one in three people who drink alcohol “binge” on a typical night out.

The annual Healthy Ireland report has been released and it makes more mixed reading.

54 per cent of male drinkers binge, compared to 19 per cent of woman.

The problem is even worse among the least well-off, with 43 per cent saying they down six or more drinks when socialising.

Surprisingly, one in five of over-65’s go over the limit.

The survey reveals the impact of drunkenness, with 14 per cent admitting a friend or family member told them about their behaviour while under the influence that they could not remember.

Commenting on the findings, Minister of State Catherine Byrne said:

“Successive survey findings clearly show the problems we have with alcohol and that we drink too much alcohol.

“It is absolutely critical that we change the place that alcohol has in our lives and in our society.”

The survey also revealed the stats for smoking cigarettes and other substances.

Per the report, just under a third of people from ‘deprived backgrounds’ smoke. In comparison, that number drops to 16 percent among the better off.

Overall 20 per cent of the population still have the expensive and dangerous habit of smoking, a small drop of 3 per cent from 2015

But it rises to 28 per cent among the 25-34-year-olds.

Some 43 per cent say they are not thinking of quitting smoking.

One in 10 who have knocked the habit use e-cigarettes.

The report expressed concern about the smoking and drinking patterns among the most deprived and the way it persists into later life. There may be less motivation for change among the poor compared to the better-off.

The report was commissioned by the department of health.

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